Gino Fisanotti, Nike’s vice president of branding for North America, said: “We believe Colin is one of the most inspirational athletes of this generation, who has leveraged the power of sport to help move the world forward.”

Kaepernick hit headlines around the world in 2016 when he chose to kneel during the national anthem at the start of NFL games, in protest to police brutality against African-Americans. This was overwhelmingly backed by some and heavily criticised by others. Some NFL fans boycotted games while others called for players who protest to be fired. Kaepernick received death threats and was branded a ‘traitor’ by an anonymous NFL executive.

He became an enemy of the Right, prompted by the US President as he described players who ‘take a knee’ as “sons of bitches”.

It’s no surprise then that Nike’s new campaign has upset a lot of Republicans.

John Rich, an American country music singer, tweeted that his sound man had cut the Nike logo off his socks after learning of the Kaepernick campaign.